"Bandolier bags, or gashkibidaaganag--the large, heavily beaded shoulder bags made and worn by several North American Indian tribes around the Great Lakes--are prized cultural icons. Marcia G. Anderson shares the results of thirty years of study, in which she learned from the talented bead artists who keep the form alive, from historical records, and from the bags themselves. Anderson examines the history, forms, structure, and motifs of the bags, giving readers the tools to understand a bag's makeup and meaning. She also offers a tour of Minnesota's seven Ojibwe reservations, showing the beautiful beaded bags associated with each along with the personal insights of six master beadworkers."--Provided by publisher.